First-time Camper and current 5th, 6th or 7th grader?
The JWest Campership Program, now in its fourth year, awards financial incentives of up to $2,500 over multiple years to first time campers from the 13 Western states who will enter grades 6 through 8 after camp. Here's what you do: enroll your child in a Jewish overnight camp for at least two weeks (12 days minimum), and if s/he is entering 6th , 7th or 8th grade in the fall of 2012, has never been to Jewish overnight camp before and is not currently a Jewish day school student, s/he will qualify! It's that easy!
This is the last year the program will be accepting first time campers so don't delay! To learn more or to apply, visit www.onehappycamper.org
If you have friends or relatives who also meet the eligibility requirements, please help us spread the word! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Foundation for Jewish Camp at 888-888-4819 or email jwest@jewishcamp.org.
WHO WE SUPPORT
Jewish Overnight Camp Scholarships
The Jewish Federation and The Jewish Community Foundation of the East Bay provide needs-based scholarships for Jewish children from the East Bay (Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano and Napa Counties) to attend any Jewish overnight summer camp in the United States, Canada or Israel.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Jim Joseph Foundation, additional scholarship funds for Jewish overnight camp are available for Bay Area residents, while the San Francisco Jewish Community Federation (JCF) offers overnight camp scholarships for residents of its Federation Service Area.
YOU CAN APPLY FOR ALL THREE SOURCES OF FUNDING IN ONE PLACE! SEE “HOW TO APPLY” BELOW.
All overnight camp scholarships are intended to provide “last resort” community resources above and beyond what is contributed by families and individual camps.
Geographic eligibility |
|
| If you live in: | You are eligible for: |
| East Bay Federation’s service area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano and Napa Counties) | East Bay Federation and Jim Joseph scholarships |
| San Francisco, Sonoma or Marin Counties, or the Peninsula from Sunnyvale north | JCF and Jim Joseph scholarships |
| Silicon Valley Federation’s service area (south of Sunnyvale) | Jim Joseph scholarships |
| Any other Northern California area not served by a Federation | SF JCF scholarships |
How to apply
For families whose children are attending URJ Camp Newman or Camp Tawonga, please contact the camps directly to apply:
URJ Camp Newman
Camp Tawonga
For families whose children are attending any other Jewish overnight camp in the United States or Canada, click here for an online application.
Please note: This link connects you to our scholarship application hosted by International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS). You must create a login and password to enter this site and access the application. Your application will automatically be directed to the scholarship fund(s) for which you are eligible, according to your residence. If you wish to request funds for more than one child in a family, you must create a new ISTS account for each child and fill out separate applications (however, you will be able to link sibling applications to carry over some family data). If at any time you are asked for a “Program Key” to specify which application you want, just enter “JCFOvernight.”
Eligible camps
In addition to the two Jewish residential camps that serve the Bay Area URJ Camp Newman and Camp Tawonga, any accredited Jewish overnight camp in the U.S., Canada or Israel is eligible for scholarship funding. This includes (but is not limited to):
Camp Be’Chol Lashon, Marin County
Camp Ramah
JCC Maccabi Games - U.S.
For a list of Jewish overnight camps in the U.S. and Canada, visit jewishcamp.org.
For a list of camps in Israel, contact the Israel Center at 415.369.2873.
Scholarship award process
Camps Newman and Tawonga receive block grants, or large dollar amounts, from which to award scholarships based on financial need. Applications are reviewed confidentially and awards determined by each camp’s financial aid committee. Applicants will be notified about award decisions directly by the camp.
For other overnight camps, applications are reviewed without any identifying information (anonymously) by lay committees which determine awards based on financial need. Applicants will be notified by mid-May. Award checks made out to the camp will be mailed to families to forward to their camp.
Scholarship requirements
- Families with children between the ages of 6 and 18 (by June 1, 2012) are eligible for scholarships to attend a qualifying Jewish overnight camp in the U.S., Canada or Israel.
- Applicants must live in one of the Bay Area or Northern California areas listed above.
- Scholarships must be “last resort” funds, supplementing financial assistance provided by the camp, family and all other possible sources, for families who would otherwise not be able to attend.
- Families may apply for overnight camp scholarships for one or more children, for up to four weeks for each child.
- Children must be Jewish (as identified by their families).
- Families must contribute a minimum percentage of total tuition according to their ability to pay.
- Scholarship funds may be used strictly for camp tuition and camp-provided bus transportation to and from camp.
For More Information:
Regarding scholarships for Camps Tawonga or Newman, please contact the camps directly.
Regarding JCF or JJF scholarships for any other camp, contact sfjcf@applyists.com, or call 615.627.9704.
Regarding East Bay Federation scholarships for other camps, contact Jessi Norris, 510.318.6411 or jessi@jfed.org.
Please choose a sub-section:
Jewish Overnight Camp Scholarships
College Scholarships
Israel Trips Scholarships